"She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live." Annie Dillard

.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Since I promised a before and after photo - here's a personal update...

Today, I want to talk a little about my personal health journey. I hesitated more than a bit about posting the 'before and after' shots. It's hard (still very hard) for me to be comfortable with pictures. Too many years of hiding behind the camera or other people. However, I had shared a post at the end of April telling of my husband's amazing progress recovering from his surgery last winter. I had also talked about my own weight loss quest. At that time, I was 80 pounds less. Now, I'm proud to say that I'm closing in on 90 pounds and am only about 15 pounds away from my ultimate goal. For someone who has dealt with being overweight her whole life, that is a big accomplishment. (It's also hard to give yourself compliments or take them, I'm finding!)

I am very proud though. Really. So, being 'brave', on the left is me at the Heceta Head Lighthouse in 2013. On the right, me at the same spot, 2018. My husband kept saying there was a big difference, but it took him putting these pictures together for me to really see it.

I've done this with Weight Watchers (and, no, I don't work for them - LOL). The first time I joined WW was in order to lose some weight before our wedding. Well, next month, we will have been married 38 years. It only took a 'little' while for me to 'get it'. I think each of us has to figure out our own path in a journey to better health. For some, it's earlier in their lives. However, I don't think it's too late for anyone. I know that I will never, ever go back. I love being able to do so many more things.

As I said, it's been a bit scary for me to talk about this, but I hope that it will be an encouragement to someone else. Honestly. If anyone has questions or would like to talk about it with me, please feel free to reach out. No pressure. I want to help if I can. I have a great WW group that I attend. I'll be attending a group for the rest of my life. I need that support and accountability. And thank you all for being my friends!!

Thanks, Candace, for your kind remark. Yes, I'm the same person in both, but the one on the right can do a lot more things and my mind is in a better place. I've found that endorphins are real and my mind likes them. Ha!

Kay, I’m so proud of you!!! I’m one of those who have struggled with weight issues and yo-yo dieting so I know how hard it is to stay committed. I am very fortunate that my health is very good and don’t need meds despite being over weight. Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you, Diane! Yes, I've gone up and down and up and down. I finally decided if not now, when? It does take practice and effort, but if a person decides (finally) that's it's a forever thing, the length of time to progress is relative and flexible. And good luck to you as well. It's possible - just takes practice and a lot of self-love.

Thanks, Deb! I do feel a difference in my joints and in so many things - like painting your toenails - who knew it could be easier? Ha! Weight Watchers has changed a lot over the years and I have a wonderful group leader and friends there.

So well done, Kay! And I'm glad you're really feeling the benefits of it in your everyday life - that must make the effort feel worthwhile. Sometimes it takes a health scare to give us the kick in the pants we need...

Thanks and you are so right! A kick in the pants is not a bad thing, nor is asking yourself 'if not now, then when?'. Happily, I've moved along with my journey and I'm still learning things about my thinking and food. It's complicated and really a lot of self-discovery.

Thank you, Kathy! You have been an inspiration to me with your habit of sharing your average number of steps each week. Truly. I've looked at that and thought - well, if she can do it, I can do it. LOL

Thank you so much! I do feel a lot better. My joints thank me. Somewhere we learned that each pound lost takes the equivalent of 4 pounds of pressure off the joints. That's a lot less on these old knees. Ha!

You are very brave to write so honestly of such a challenging topic, and I think you are stronger still to have persevered to only 15 away from your ultimate goal. That takes so much strength! You look wonderful, and happy, and I congratulate you on your strength. (It is hard for me to cut down on sweets. This summer I've had to say, "None at all," for it is easier to do that than stop after one. Now I have a raging headache from sugar withdrawal, which just shows you how many handfuls of m and m's I was devouring. 😉)

Meredith - you made me laugh! Thank you for your encouragement and kind words, but yes, changing the eating habits has a bit of consequences - at least for a while. One has to remember what it felt like to actually be hungry - like with growling stomach. We often think we are hungry and we might be bored or upset. These days, I'm more likely to make myself a big mug of hot tea or take a walk with great music.

I appreciate you saying so, Jenclair! It's been hard, yes, but it gets easier in some respects. And, I'm learning to forgive myself over and over because if this is for a lifetime, then what do those little bumps matter?

Oh, Kay - Congratulations!! This is MARVELOUS - and such an encouragement to me right now. My husband and I visited Ecuador for the month of June and got in the rhythm of simpler eating, which we have incorporated into our life back home in Canada. I have lost 'about' 11 pounds, with another 50 to go. Some days are easy; some days, not so much.

What type of physical activity do use do? I think this is where I'm falling down. In Ecuador, we walked a lot but here, that's harder. Advice?

Hi Debbie! Thank you so much for your sweet words! Ecuador sounds very interesting and exotic. Yes, sometimes taking ourselves out of our 'usual' is a way of 'changing it up', which is basically what all this is. Changing the way we eat and the way we move - and how much of each. You are right, some days are easy indeed and some not at all. However, if the changes are meant to be forever - individual days are not so important.

As to movement, I walk a lot. And I mean a lot. I built up to a 5K a day and I walk at least that much every single day (3.1 miles). Many days I walk more than that. I do have a rowing machine at home and use that as well, but I'm not as faithful with it. Right now, I still mostly walk. My daughter and I have done a bunch of charity 5K events and our time has improved a lot. We don't run - we walk briskly. And I listen to a lot of audiobooks. That was my treat to myself. I do walk outside a little, but I mostly go to a local rec center with an indoor walking/running track. I don't like the treadmill as much. I've also walked at the local indoor mall.

Thanks, Tracy! Such nice words here from everyone. Yes, totally understand the 'all the adult life' part and, yes, it does get harder when we get older. As I said above to Debbie, most of my activity is walking. I used to think - how boring - but now, I seem to require it. I built up and I probably do half of my reading by listening to books. That's my little nudge to keep going.

What an inspiring story, Kay! I lost 75+ lbs on Weight Watchers several years ago--and ended up gaining it all back and then some. I take all the blame for that. I was so good on the program, but when I reached by goal, I slipped big time and it went down hill from there. I do want to try again. Motivating myself is the hard part. And making it a priority. Thank you for sharing!

Wendy, I completely understand what you are saying here. Each of us has our own path in this journey. I remember that you were a WW member. The program is always evolving. It's easier than 38 years ago and the app for tracking the food is pretty user friendly. One thing that is available as well is 'Connect', a social media thing only for WW members. There's a lot of encouragement there from others. A 'virtual' meeting in a way. I wish you the best in your own journey. You're at a busy, busy time of life. Remember that I'll always be happy to talk or answer any questions. Big hugs to you!

Wendy, I think this is very, very common. We lose the weight and say "hooray, I did it," but then stop going. Or the maintenance plan isn't clear or something. I think Kay's plan to never stop going is the absolute biggest secret of WW. I'm sure it must be true for drinkers and gamblers, too. Almost every woman has this problem to one degree or another. Kay is a real inspiration!!! Do I see being a leader in your future?!

Thanks for sharing your inspiring story. Staying motivated is so hard for so many of us (including me). I reached my weight loss goal when I joined WW several years ago, but it's been a struggle since then to stay at my goal weight because the pounds seem to creep back if you're not vigilant. Kudos to you.

Good for you, Catherine, for reaching your goal with WW. I'm interested in seeing several who I regularly visit with that are WW alumni. Yes, I've heard some of the struggles from others who attend my meeting - Lifetime members that say 'the struggle is real'. Ha! Thanks for the encouragement!

I hit my WW goal not once, but THREE times and all times fell off the wagon. The last time was mostly because I was hit with horrible food allergies, that I still deal with today and just felt resentful to have to keep track of points and allergy journals. Seemed very unfair but now I am hitting that age where my hormones are not all that great and the weight is just piling on,. I am that left photo right now. However, I started anew this past weekend. Not WW but I know it all so well I just need to do it. You look awesome. I know it was hard to share but it's good that you did.

Ti - did I know that you had used WW? I don't think I did or maybe I just forgot. Good for you for having reached goal 3 times. I'm sure that the allergies made things just that much more difficult. Unfair indeed. I've not ever reached goal - not even gotten close really. And I've needed to lose this amount for a long, long time. Good luck with your path. Listening to the Lifetime members at my meeting is really inspiring and a little scary. They do say that 'the struggle is real' and always there. One thing I have learned is that all of this is not supposed to be easy or even quick. So much of it is psychological and it takes time to recognize your personal issues and behaviors. Mainly, I just won't quit. And thanks for your encouragement. It was hard to share this, but I'm glad I did.

WOW! What an amazing journey and transformation. You look happy, healthy, and proud. Good for you. Thanks for the inspiration. I need to get back on the WW horse—it's the best program I've found for keeping my weight and blood sugar under control. It's just so tough for me to stick with any weight loss/exercise program, so thanks for reminding me that it CAN be done. You're amazing, my friend!

Susan, you too are at an incredibly busy time of life. And I'm thinking that perhaps we've talked about WW before and how it worked for each of us. They have made things easier than in past days, but it still is a journey. My biggest 'revelation' was that if I was going to eat this way for the rest of my life (and truly do that), the week-to-week things didn't matter so much. And also remembering that it isn't supposed to be quick - at least not for me. Thanks for your encouragement. You know I'm always just an email away. :-)

You know how much of an inspiration you've been to me and many others and you should be very proud of this amazing accomplishment. I know you must feel so much better, both mentally and physically, and from our conversations earlier this month, I have no doubt that this is a permanent lifestyle. Congrats to you and your hubby for sticking with it!! xoxo

Oh wow Kay! I've been struggling with 20 pounds and was really feeling like I couldn't get rid of it because it seems like everyone says you can't lose weight once you get around 40. This is so inspirational!

I think you can lose weight at any age, Katherine. And you can makes changes in your eating and movement (exercise) at any age too. I walk a lot, but I see no need to run. I appreciate your kind words. Based on the number of people 'over 40' in my WW group, the struggle is definitely real. Ha! Good luck in your journey as well!

You already know this, but I wanted to say it here as well. I am prouder of you than words can say. You were always beautiful in my eyes, and always will be no matter your weight. But I sure do understand what a miracle it must feel like to be you right now! Not only the way you look, but new clothes, new exercise, a real support group that will never, ever let you down. And I do believe it imperative to never stop going. Love you dear friend.

Oh, now you'll make me cry, Nan. I appreciate all you said. Yes, it is a very good thing and I do respond to that group of people who know exactly what these struggles have been like. Love you right back!

Congratulations, Kay! What a journey. You look great but even more importantly, I'm sure you're much healthier. As someone who needs to take the same journey, I'm going to try to take inspiration from you. I have a wedding in a year and I'd love to be down at least 50 lbs. I think I'm going to give Weight Watchers a chance again as well.

Kay you look fantastic! Congratulations on your success and most importantly thank you for sharing your journey. This is such a positive post and I think it's going to resonate for a lot of people. We all get busy, tired, etc. and put off taking care of ourselves but like you said, it's never too late. Congrats again!

WOW!! How I wish we lived closer, Kay, and could sit down for coffee on a regular basis and discuss our life goals and hangups :) I imagine we would share a lot of laughs, tears, and hugs. You are such an encouragement to me and I am ever so grateful for this online friendship. Let's both make a pact to get in front of the camera a bit more often and embrace who we are :)

Molly, I wish you lived closer too. I think that we would mesh very well and could go get coffee and go to yoga class. However, we'll just have to be satisfied with connecting this way. I appreciate your kind encouragement here. And, yes, I'll make a pact to at least embrace who I am more. Ha!